RU2738829C2 - Cartridge for an electronic device for vaping with open microchannels - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: vaping.

SUBSTANCE: cartridge (70) for electronic device (60) for vaping comprises reservoir (24) configured to retain a ready composition for evaporation, and a structure of channels (25), which comprises a channel structure surface with a first channel structure surface part, a second channel structure surface part and at least one open microchannel. Channel structure surface comprises at least one open microchannel, wherein at least one open micro channel passes between the first part of the surface of the channel structure and the second part of the surface of the channel structure. Structure of channels (25) is made with possibility of retraction of ready composition for evaporation from reservoir (24) into second part of channel structure surface as a result of capillary action of the ready composition for evaporation through at least one open micro channel. Cartridge (70) also contains at least one heating element (28) made with possibility of evaporation of the ready composition for evaporation drawn into the second part of the channel structure surface with formation of steam.

EFFECT: disclosed is a cartridge for an electronic device for vaping with open microchannels.

24 cl, 20 dwg, 1 tbl

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic vaping device or electronic vaping device and cartridges for electronic vaping devices.

Electronic vaping devices, also referred to herein as electronic vaping devices (EVDs), can be used by adult vapers to vape while on the move. Flavored vapors inside the electronic vaping device can be used to deliver a pleasantly scented vapor that can be generated by the electronic vaping device.

In some cases, electronic vaping devices may retain the pre-evaporated composition in the reservoir and may generate steam by drawing the pre-evaporated composition from the reservoir and applying heat to the drawn in pre-evaporated composition to vaporize it.

In some cases, residues may accumulate in the electronic vaping device as a result of the formation of steam. Such residues may result from the adhesion of the pre-evaporated composition material elements to one or more materials in the electronic vaping device. For example, if an electronic vaping device contains a soft or fibrous wick to draw the finished vaporization formulation from the reservoir into the heating element, residues may accumulate on or in the wick. The accumulation of residues can adversely affect the operation of the electronic vaping device due to a negative effect on the level of steam generation, increasing the possibility of chemical reactions between the residue and one or more elements of the electronic vaping device, negatively affecting the elements in the generated vapor, negatively affecting the amount of steam, generated by an electronic vaping device during vaping sessions, some combination thereof, or the like.

In some cases, electronic vaping devices can be manufactured in-line. Such in-line production can be at least partially automated. In some cases, the complexity of the electronic vaping devices can adversely affect at least one of the manufacturing consistency of the electronic vaping devices, the manufacturing speed of the electronic vaping devices, and the manufacturing cost of the electronic vaping devices.

In some exemplary embodiments, a cartridge for an electronic vaping device may include a reservoir configured to hold the finished vaporization composition, a channel structure, and at least one heating element. The channel structure may contain the surface of the channel structure. The channel structure surface may comprise a first channel structure surface portion and an adjacent second channel structure surface portion. The first surface portion of the channel structure may form at least one inner surface of the reservoir. The second part of the surface of the channel structure may be external to the reservoir. The surface of the channel structure may contain at least one open microchannel. At least one open microchannel may extend between a first surface portion of the channel structure and a second surface portion of the channel structure. The structure of the channels can be configured to draw in the finished vaporization composition from the reservoir into the second part of the surface of the channel structure as a result of the capillary action of the finished vaporization composition through at least one open microchannel. At least one heating element may be configured to vaporize the finished vaporization composition drawn into the second portion of the channel structure surface to form steam.

The cartridge may not be associated with fibrous dispensing contact surfaces containing one or more wicks. The manufacture of such a cartridge may be simpler, faster, cheaper, some combination of the above, or the like, relative to the manufacture of a cartridge containing a fibrous or soft spreading contact surface for drawing the finished vaporization composition from the reservoir into a heating element.

The at least one open microchannel may have a trapezoidal channel cross-section.

The channel structure may contain a hydrophilic layer on the surface of the channel structure.

The heating element can be a surface heater.

The heating element can be attached to the second part of the surface of the channel structure.

The reservoir may comprise a sealing member configured to seal a substantially contact surface between the reservoir and the second surface portion of the channel structure.

The cartridge can contain multiple reservoirs. Each of the reservoirs can be configured to hold at least one ready-made composition for evaporation. The at least one open microchannel may contain a plurality of open microchannels. Each of the open microchannels can be in fluid communication with a separate reservoir from a plurality of reservoirs.

The reservoir can be an annular element configured to hold the finished vaporization composition in the annular element. The channel structure may be a disc-shaped element, the first part of the channel structure surface being the outer annular part of the channel structure surface and forming the base of the annular element, and the second part of the channel structure surface being the inner part of the channel structure surface. At least one open microchannel can extend radially between the outer annular surface of the channel structure and the inner surface of the channel structure. At least one heating element can be connected to the interior of the channel structure.

The channel structure may contain a tubular element. The surface of the channel structure may be the outer surface of the tubular member. At least one open microchannel can extend axially along the outer surface of the tubular member.

The channel structure may contain a molded element.

The cartridge may contain capillary material in contact with the second portion of the surface of the channel structure and the heating element. The capillary material is adapted to draw in the finished composition for evaporation from at least one open microchannel in the second part of the surface of the channel structure into the heating element.

In some exemplary embodiments, an electronic vaping device may comprise a cartridge for the electronic vaping device and a power supply configured to provide power to the cartridge. The cartridge may comprise a reservoir adapted to hold the finished composition for evaporation, a channel structure, and at least one heating element. The channel structure may contain the surface of the channel structure. The channel structure surface may comprise a first channel structure surface portion and an adjacent second channel structure surface portion. The first surface portion of the channel structure may form at least one inner surface of the reservoir. The second part of the surface of the channel structure may be external to the reservoir. The surface of the channel structure may contain at least one open microchannel. At least one open microchannel may extend between a first surface portion of the channel structure and a second surface portion of the channel structure. The structure of the channels can be made with the possibility of drawing in the ready-made evaporation composition from the reservoir into the second part of the surface of the channel structure as a result of the capillary action of the ready-made evaporation composition through at least one open microchannel. At least one heating element may be configured to vaporize the finished vaporization composition drawn into the second portion of the channel structure surface to form steam.

The at least one open microchannel may have a trapezoidal channel cross-section.

The channel structure may contain a hydrophilic layer on the surface of the channel structure.

The heating element can be a surface heater.

The heating element can be attached to the second part of the surface of the channel structure.

The reservoir may comprise a sealing member configured to seal a substantially contact surface between the reservoir and the second surface portion of the channel structure.

An electronic vaping device can contain multiple reservoirs. Each of the reservoirs can be configured to hold at least one ready-made composition for evaporation. The at least one open microchannel may contain a plurality of open microchannels. Each of the open microchannels can be in fluid communication with a separate reservoir from a plurality of reservoirs.

The reservoir can be an annular element configured to hold the finished vaporization composition in the annular element. The channel structure may contain a disc-shaped element. The first surface portion of the channel structure may be the outer annular portion of the channel structure surface and form the base of the annular member. The second portion of the surface of the channel structure may be the interior of the surface of the channel structure. At least one open microchannel can extend radially between the outer annular surface of the channel structure and the inner surface of the channel structure. At least one heating element can be connected to the interior of the channel structure.

The channel structure may contain a tubular element. The surface of the channel structure may be the outer surface of the tubular member. At least one open microchannel can extend axially through the outer surface of the tubular element.

The channel structure may contain a molded element.

The power supply may contain a rechargeable battery.

The cartridge and power supply can be removably connected to each other.

The cartridge may further comprise capillary material in contact with the second surface portion of the channel structure and the heating element. The capillary material can be configured to draw in the finished composition for evaporation from at least one open microchannel in the second part of the surface of the channel structure into the heating element.

In some exemplary embodiments, the method may include: drawing the finished vaporization composition from the reservoir into a heating element through at least one open microchannel, wherein the at least one open microchannel comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being in communication with fluid with a reservoir, and the second part is connected to a heating element; and vaporizing the finished vaporization composition drawn into the heating element through the at least one open microchannel to form vapor.

The method may further include drawing the finished vaporization composition into the heating element through a plurality of parallel open microchannels.

The method may further include: drawing a plurality of ready-to-vaporize compositions from a plurality of reservoirs into at least one heating element through a plurality of open microchannels, each of the open microchannels in fluid communication with a separate reservoir from the plurality of reservoirs; and vaporizing the finished vaporization compositions drawn into the at least one heating element through the plurality of open microchannels to generate at least one type of vapor.

Various features and advantages of non-limiting embodiments herein may become more apparent upon reading the detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying graphics are presented for illustrative purposes only and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the claims. Accompanying graphics should not be construed as drawn to scale unless explicitly indicated. For clarity, the various sizes on the graphics could be increased.

FIG. 1A is a side view of an electronic vaping device in accordance with some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view along line IB-IB 'of the electronic vaping device of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an evaporator assembly in accordance with some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view along line IIB-IIB 'of the evaporator assembly of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view along line IIC-IIC 'of the evaporator assembly of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an evaporator assembly according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of an evaporator assembly in accordance with some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the assembled evaporator section A of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 is a perspective cross-sectional view of an assembled evaporator according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, FIG. 6C and FIG. 6D illustrates cross-sectional views of open microchannels according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an open microchannel and hydrophilic layer in accordance with some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an evaporator assembly according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 9A, fig. 9B, FIG. 9C and FIG. 9D illustrates perspective views of assembled evaporators according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a method for generating steam in accordance with some exemplary embodiments.

Some detailed exemplary embodiments are disclosed herein. However, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are presented solely for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments. However, the exemplary embodiments can be embodied in many alternative forms and should not be construed as limited only to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein.

Accordingly, since the exemplary embodiments may have various modifications and alternative forms, corresponding exemplary embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that there is no intent to limit the exemplary embodiments to the specific forms disclosed, but rather the exemplary embodiments are intended to encompass all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives within the scope of the exemplary embodiments. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description of figures.

It should be understood that if an element or layer is designated as "located on," "attached to," "attached to," or "covering" another element or layer, it may be directly positioned on, connected to, attached to, or cover another element, or layer, or intermediate elements or layers may be present. Conversely, if an element is designated as "directly located on", "directly connected to" or "directly connected to" another element or layer, then there are no intermediate elements or layers. Like numbers refer to like items throughout the description.

It should be understood that although the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, regions, layers or sections, these elements, regions, layers or sections should not be limited. these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element, region, layer or section from another element, region, layer or section. Therefore, the first element, region, layer or section described below may be referred to as a second element, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings set forth in the exemplary embodiments.

The terms relative spatial arrangement (eg, "below", "below", "lower", "above", "upper", etc.) may be used herein to simplify the description to disclose the relationship of one element or feature with another element or feature, as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood that the terms relative spatial arrangement are intended to encompass various orientations of the device during use or operation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device is inverted in the figures, then features described as being “below” or “below” other features or parts will appear to be located “above” other features or parts. Therefore, the term "under" can encompass both above and below location. The device may be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or located in other orientations) and the relative spatial definitions used herein will be interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is intended only to describe various exemplary embodiments, and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments. In the context of this document, the singular is intended to include the plural, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be understood that the terms "includes", "including", "comprises" and "comprising" when used in this description indicate the presence of specified features, integers, steps, operations or elements, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other signs, integers, stages, operations, elements or their groups.

Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to sectional illustrations, which are schematic representations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of exemplary embodiments. Thus, changes in the shapes of these illustrations should be expected as a result of changes, for example, in manufacturing techniques or tolerances. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments should not be interpreted as being limited to the shapes of the regions depicted herein, but should contain deviations in shape that are due, for example, to the manufacturing process.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the exemplary embodiments refer. It should also be understood that terms, including those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant field of technology, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this document.

FIG. 1A shows a side view of an electronic vaping device 60 in accordance with some exemplary embodiments. FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view along line IB-IB 'of the electronic vaping device of FIG. 1A. Electronic vaping device 60 may include one or more of the features set forth in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0192623 to Tucker et al., Filed January 31, 2013, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0192619, issued to Tucker et al. filed January 14, 2013, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. In the context of this document, the term "electronic vaping device" includes all types of electronic vaping devices regardless of their model, size or shape.

Referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the electronic vaping device 60 includes a replaceable cartridge (or first section) 70 and a reusable power supply section 72 (or a second section). The sections 70, 72 may be connected to each other at the mating contact surfaces 74, 84 of the respective sections 70, 72.

In some exemplary embodiments, the contact surfaces 74, 84 are threaded connectors. It should be understood that the contact surface 74, 84 can be any type of connector, including, without limitation, at least one of a slide fit, latch, clip, bayonet, or lock.

As shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, in some exemplary embodiments, the outlet end insert 20 may be located at the outlet end of the cartridge 70. The outlet end insert 20 includes at least one outlet 21 that may be offset longitudinally from the electronic vaping device 60 ... One or more outlets 21 may be angled outwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the electronic vaping device 60. The plurality of outlets 21 may be evenly or substantially evenly distributed around the perimeter of the outlet end insert 20 so as to substantially evenly distribute steam drawn through the outlet end insert 20 during vaping. Therefore, when steam 95 is drawn in through the insert 20 at the outlet end, the steam can move in different directions.

The cartridge 70 includes an outer casing 16 extending in the longitudinal direction. The power supply section 72 comprises an outer casing 17 extending in the longitudinal direction. In some exemplary embodiments, the outer housing 16 can be a single tube housing both the cartridge 70 and the power supply section 72, and the entire electronic vaping device 60 can be disposable. The outer housing 16 may have a generally cylindrical cross-section. In some exemplary embodiments, the outer housing 16 may have a generally triangular cross-section along one or more of the cartridge 70 and the feed section 72. In some exemplary embodiments, the outer housing 16 may have a larger circumference or dimensions at the upper end than at the outlet end of the electronic vaping device 60.

Still referring to FIG. 1A-B, cartridge 70 includes an evaporator assembly 22 configured to generate steam 95 by evaporation of the vaporization composition. The assembled evaporator 22 comprises at least a reservoir 24, a channel structure 25 and a heating element 28. The reservoir 24 is configured to hold the finished composition for evaporation. The structure of the channels 25 is configured to draw in the pre-evaporated composition from the reservoir 24. The heating element 28 is configured to vaporize the retractable pre-evaporated composition to form steam 95. The evaporator assembly 22 will be further described below with reference to at least FIG. 2A-C, Figs. 3 and FIG. 4.

The reservoir 24 can hold the ready-to-vaporize composition in the interior of the reservoir 24. The structure of the channels 25 is connected to the reservoir 24, thus at least part of the structure of the channels 25 is in fluid communication with the interior of the reservoir 24. The structure of the channels 25 may contain one or several materials, including a metal material, a plastic material, some combination thereof, or the like. For example, the structure of the channels 25 may at least partially or completely contain polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The structure of the channels 25 may comprise a hydrophilic material, a plastic material, some combination thereof, or the like. For example, the structure of the channels 25 may comprise a hydrophilic injection-molded material. The hydrophilic injection molded material may include poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polylactic acid (PLA), some combination thereof, or the like.

As described in more detail below, the structure of the channels 25 is configured to draw the finished vaporization composition from the reservoir into one or more portions of the structure of the channels 25 that are external to the reservoir 24. The structure of the channels 25 may comprise one or more open microchannels that are configured with the possibility of drawing in the finished composition for evaporation from the reservoir 24 as a result of the capillary action of the finished composition for evaporation into open microchannels.

A heating element 28 is located near a portion of the channel structure 25 into which the ready-to-vaporize composition from the reservoir 24 can be drawn in. The heating element 28 can be attached to a portion of the channel structure 25 into which the ready-made evaporation composition from the reservoir 24 can be drawn. the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1B, the heating element 28 may extend over the surface of the channel structure 25. In some exemplary embodiments, the heating element 28 may extend in a parallel or transverse (orthogonal, perpendicular, etc.) direction to the longitudinal axis of the channel structure 25.

The heating element 28 is configured to generate heat. The structure of the channels 25 is configured to draw in the ready-to-evaporate composition from the reservoir 24, so the finished composition for evaporation can evaporate from the structure of the channels 25 as a result of heating the structure of the channels 25 with the heating element 28.

During vaping, the finished vaporization composition may be displaced from reservoir 24 by capillary action of one or more open microchannels (not shown in FIGS. 1A-B) of the channel structure 25. Heating element 28 may at least partially surround part of the channel structure 25 so that if or when the heating element 28 is activated to generate heat, the ready-made composition for evaporation in portions of one or more open microchannels passing through a portion of the channel structure 25 may be vaporized by the heating element 28 to generate steam.

In some exemplary embodiments, at least one air inlet 44 may be formed in the outer housing 16 adjacent to the contact surface 74 to minimize the likelihood of an adult vaper's fingers blocking one of the openings and to control retract resistance (RTD) during soaring. In some exemplary embodiments, the air inlets 44 may be bored into the outer casing 16 by precision equipment such that their diameters are precisely controlled and repeatable from one electronic vaping device 60 to the next during manufacture.

In some exemplary embodiments, the air inlets 44 may be drilled using carbide drills or other high precision tools or techniques. In some exemplary embodiments, the outer casing 16 may be made of metal or metal alloys so that the size and shape of the air inlets 44 cannot be altered during manufacturing, packaging, and vaping operations. Therefore, the air inlets 44 can provide a stable RTD. In some exemplary embodiments, the air inlets 44 may be sized and configured such that the electronic vaping device 60 has an RTD in the range of about 40 millimeters of water to about 150 millimeters of water.

One or more elements of cartridge 70 define interior spaces 42 and 46 in the interior of cartridge 70. As shown, interior of cartridge 70 includes spaces 42 that are at least partially defined by outer housing 16 of cartridge 70 and one or more evaporator assembly 22. The interior of the cartridge further comprises a space 46 that is at least partially formed by an outer casing 16, an evaporator assembly 22, and an outlet end insert 20. Each interior space 42 is in fluid communication with one or more air inlets 44. Interior space 46 is in fluid communication with one or more air inlets 21. The interior spaces 42 may be referred to as one or more upstream portions of the interior of the cartridge 70. The interior space 46 may be referred to as the downstream portion of the interior of the cartridge 70. Air 94 may be drawn into the spaces 42 through one or more inlet openings 44 for air. Steam 95 generated by evaporator assembly 22 can be discharged into at least one of spaces 42 and 46. At least steam 95 and air 94 can be drawn through air outlets 21 through space 46.

In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1A-B, air inlets 44 are located downstream of at least a portion of the evaporator assembly 22. The air inlets 44 may be configured to direct air 94 into spaces 42 that are in fluid communication with a portion of the duct structure 25, in which steam 95 can be generated. For example, as shown in FIG. 1B, air inlets 44 are located upstream of heating element 28 so that air 94 drawn through air inlets 44 into spaces 42 can pass through providing fluid communication with a portion of the duct structure 25 adjacent to heating element 28. Steam 95 generated by evaporator assembly 22 may be mixed with air 94. At least one of vapor 95 and air 94 may flow downstream through space 46 to exit the cartridge 70 through one or more air outlets 21.

In some exemplary embodiments, the cartridge 70 includes a connector 91. The connector 91 may comprise one or more of a cathode connector and an anode connector. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1B, for example, an electrical terminal 26-1 is connected to the connecting member 91. As further shown in FIG. 1B, the connecting member 91 is adapted to be connected to a power supply 12 contained in the power supply section 72. If or when the contact surfaces 74, 84 are connected to each other, the connecting element 91 and the power supply 12 can be connected to each other. Connecting the connecting member 91 and the power supply 12 to each other can electrically connect the terminal 26-1 and the power supply 12 to each other.

In some example embodiments, one or more contact surfaces 74, 84 comprise one or more of a cathode coupler and an anode coupler. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1B, for example, an electrical terminal 26-2 is connected to the contact surface 74. As further shown in FIG. 1B, the power supply section 72 includes a terminal 92 that connects the control circuit 11 to the contact surface 84. If or when the contact surfaces 74, 84 are connected to each other, the connected contact surfaces 74, 84 may electrically connect to each other the terminals 26-2 and 92.

If or when the contact surfaces 74, 84 are connected to each other, one or more electrical circuits may be installed by means of the cartridge 70 and the power supply section 72. The installed electrical circuits may comprise at least a heating element 28, a control circuit 11, and a power supply 12. The electrical circuit may include electrical leads 26-1 and 26-2, lead 92, and contact surfaces 74, 84.

The connecting element 91 may comprise an insulating material 91b and a conductive material 91a. The conductive material 91a can electrically connect the terminal 26-1 to the power supply 12, and the insulating material 91b can insulate the conductive material 91a from the contact surface 74, thereby reducing or eliminating the possibility of short circuits between the terminal 26-1 and the contact surface 74. For example, if or when the connecting member 91 has a cylindrical cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the electronic vaping device 60, the insulating material 91b included in the connecting member 91 may be the outer annular portion of the connecting member 91, and the conductive material 91a may be the inner the cylindrical portion of the connecting member 91, so that the insulating material 91b surrounds the conductive material 91a and reduces or eliminates the possibility of electrical connection between the conductive material 91a and the contact surface 74.

Still referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the power supply section 72 includes a sensor 13 responsible for air drawn into the power supply section 72 by an air inlet 44a adjacent to the free end or top end of the electronic vaping device 60, at least one power supply 12 and a circuit 11 management. The power supply 12 may contain a rechargeable battery. The sensor 13 may be one or more of a pressure sensor, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensor, and the like.

In the illustrated embodiments shown in FIGS. 1A-B, the sensor 13 and the control circuit 11 are located close to the upper end of the power supply section 72. It should be understood that in some exemplary embodiments, one or more of the sensor 13 and the control circuit 11 may be located at one or more different locations in the feed section 72, including one or more locations that are different from the upper end of the feed section 72. For example, in some exemplary embodiments, one or more of the control circuit 11 and the sensor 13 may be located near the outlet end of the power supply section 72.

In some exemplary embodiments, the power supply 12 includes a battery located in the electronic vaping device 60 such that the anode is located downstream of the cathode. The connector 91 comes into contact with the downstream end of the battery. The heating element 28 is connected to the power supply 12 via at least an electrical terminal 26-1 and a connecting element 91 if or when the contact surfaces 74, 84 are connected to each other.

The power supply 12 may be a lithium-ion battery or one of its variants, such as a lithium-ion polymer battery. Alternatively, the power supply 12 may be a nickel metal hydride battery, a nickel cadmium battery, a lithium manganese battery, a lithium cobalt battery, or a fuel cell. The electronic vaping device 60 may be used by an adult vaper until the power supply 12 is depleted or, in the case of a lithium polymer battery, until the minimum voltage cutoff level is reached.

In addition, power supply 12 may be rechargeable and may include circuitry configured to charge a battery from an external charger. A universal serial bus (USB) charger or other suitable charger may be used to recharge the electronic vaping device 60.

Upon completion of the connection between the cartridge 70 and the power supply section 72, the at least one power supply 12 can be electrically connected to the heating element 28 of the cartridge 70 upon activation of the sensor 13. Air is first drawn into the cartridge 70 through one or more air inlets 44. One or more air inlets 44 may be located along the outer casing 16, 17 of the first and second sections 70, 72 or on one or more connected contact surfaces 74, 84.

The sensor 13 may be configured to measure the drop in air pressure and initiate a voltage supply from the power supply 12 to the heating element 28. As shown in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1B, some exemplary embodiments of the power supply section 72 include a heater activation light 48 configured to illuminate if or when the heating element 28 is activated. The heater activation indicator light 48 may comprise a light-emitting diode (LED). Moreover, the heater activation indicator light 48 may be positioned to be visible to an adult vaper while vaping. In addition, the heater activation indicator light 48 may be used to diagnose the electronic vaping system or to indicate that a recharge is in progress. The heater activation light 48 may also be configured to activate, deactivate, or activate and deactivate the heater activation light 48 by an adult vaper for privacy. As shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, a heater activation indicator light 48 may be located at the upper end of the electronic vaping device 60. In some exemplary embodiments, the heater activation light 48 may be located on the side of the outer casing 17.

In addition, at least one air inlet 44a may be disposed adjacent to the sensor 13 so that the sensor 13 can detect an air flow indicative of steam being drawn through the outlet end of the electronic vaping device. Sensor 13 may activate power supply 12 and heater activation light 48 to indicate activation of heating element 28.

Additionally, the control circuit 11 may control the supply of power to the heating element 28 in response to the sensor 13. In some exemplary embodiments, the control circuit 11 may include a maximum time period limiter. In some exemplary embodiments, the control circuit 11 may comprise a manually operated switch for an adult vaper to manually initiate vaping. The period of time for supplying electric current to the heating element 28 may be preset depending on the amount of the vaporization formulation required for vaporization. In some exemplary embodiments, the control circuit 11 may control the supply of power to the heating element 28 while the sensor 13 detects a drop in pressure.

To control the supply of power to the heating element 28, the control circuit 11 may execute one or more examples of computer-executable program code. The control circuit 11 may comprise a processor and memory. The memory can be a computer-readable storage medium that stores computer-executable code.

The control circuit 11 may comprise a processing circuit including, but not limited to, a processor, a central processing unit (CPU), a controller, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a single-chip system ( SoC), programmable logic element, microprocessor, or any other device capable of responding to commands and executing them in a specific way. In some exemplary embodiments, the control circuit 11 may be at least one of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and an ASIC.

The control circuit 11 can be configured as a special purpose machine by executing a computer-readable program code stored in a storage device. The program code may contain at least one of a program or machine-readable instructions, program elements, program modules, data files, data structures, etc., which may be implemented by one or more hardware devices, such as one or more of the above control schemes ... Examples of program code include both machine code generated by the compiler and higher-level program code that is executed using an interpreter.

The control circuit 11 may contain one or more storage devices. One or more storage devices can be tangible or non-volatile computer-readable media, such as at least one of random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), non-volatile mass storage (such as a disk drive), solid state device (such as NAND flash memory) and any other similar storage engine that can store and write data. One or more storage devices may be configured to store computer programs, program code, instructions, or some combination thereof, or all at once, for one or more operating systems to implement the embodiments described herein. Computer programs, program code, instructions, or some combination thereof, can also be loaded from a separate computer-readable storage medium into one or more storage devices, one or more processing computing devices, or both using a drive mechanism. Such a separate computer-readable storage medium may include at least one of a USB flash drive, a flash drive, a Blu-ray / DVD / CD-ROM drive, a memory card, and other similar computer-readable storage media. Computer programs, program code, instructions, or some combination thereof, can be loaded into one or more storage devices, one or more processing computing devices, or both from a remote storage device via a network interface rather than a local computer-readable storage medium. In addition, computer programs, program code, instructions, or some combination thereof may be loaded into one or more storage devices, one or more processors, or both from a remote computing system that is configured to transmit, distribute, or transmit and distribute computer programs, program code, commands, or some combination thereof over the network. The remote computing system can transmit, distribute, or transmit and distribute computer programs, program code, commands, or some combination thereof, via at least one of a wired interface, an air interface, and any other such medium.

The control circuit 11 may be a specialized mechanism configured to execute computer-executable code for controlling the supply of power to the heating element 28. Controlling the supply of power to the heating element 28 may be interchangeably referred to herein as activating the heating element 28.

Still referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, if or when the heating element 28 is activated, the activated heating element 28 can heat a portion of the channel structure 25 in less than 10 seconds. Therefore, the power cycle (or maximum vaping time) can range from about 2 seconds to about 10 seconds (e.g., from about 3 seconds to about 9 seconds, from about 4 seconds to about 8 seconds, or from about 5 seconds to about 7 seconds).

A ready-to-vaporize compound is a material or combination of materials that can be converted to steam. For example, the finished vaporization formulation can be at least one of a liquid, solid, or gel formulation, including but not limited to: water, granules, solvents, active ingredients, ethanol, plant extracts, natural or artificial flavors, vaporizing agents. such as glycerin and propylene glycol, and combinations thereof.

In some exemplary embodiments, the final vaporization composition is one or more of propylene glycol, glycerin, and combinations thereof.

The ready-to-vaporize formulation may or may not contain nicotine. The finished vaporization composition may contain one or more tobacco flavorings. The finished vaporization composition may contain one or more flavorings that are separated from the one or more tobacco flavorings.

In some exemplary embodiments, the vaporization formulation that contains nicotine may also contain one or more acids. One or more acids can be one or more of pyruvic acid, formic acid, oxalic acid, glycolic acid, acetic acid, isovaleric acid, valeric acid, propionic acid, octanoic acid, lactic acid, levulinic acid, sorbic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, oleic acid, aconitic acid, butyric acid, cinnamic acid, capric acid, 3,7-dimethyl-6-octanoic acid, 1-glutamic acid, heptanoic acid, caproic acid, 3 -caproic acid, trans-2-caproic acid, isobutyric acid, lauric acid, 2-methylbutanoic acid, 2-methylvaleric acid, myristic acid, nonanoic acid, palmitic acid, 4-pentenoic acid, phenylacetic acid, 3-phenylpropionic acid, hydrochloric acid acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid and combinations thereof.

In some exemplary embodiments, the vapor 95 generated by the vaporizer assembly 22 may be substantially free of one or more gas phase materials. For example, steam 95 may contain one or more materials in a substantially discontinuous phase and substantially not in a gas phase.

The storage medium of the reservoir 24 can be a fibrous material including at least one of cotton, polyethylene, polyester, rayon, and combinations thereof. The fibers can have a diameter in the range of about 6 microns to about 15 microns (eg, about 8 microns to about 12 microns, or about 9 microns to about 11 microns). The storage medium can be sintered, porous or foam. In addition, the fibers may be sized so that they cannot be inhaled, and may have a Y-shaped, cruciform, clover-shaped or any other suitable cross-section. In some exemplary embodiments, the reservoir 24 may be a filled container that does not have any storage medium and only contains the ready-to-vaporize composition.

The reservoir 24 may be sized and configured to hold a sufficient amount of the finished composition for vaporization, such that the electronic vaping device 60 may be configured to vaporize for at least about 200 seconds. The electronic vaping device 60 may be configured to allow each vaping session to last a maximum of about 5 seconds.

The heating element 28 can be formed from any suitable electroresistive materials. Examples of suitable electroresistive materials can include, but are not limited to, titanium, zirconium, tantalum, and platinum group metals. Examples of suitable metal alloys include, but are not limited to, stainless steel, nickel, cobalt, chromium, aluminum-titanium-zirconium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tantalum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese and iron alloys, nickel-based superalloys, iron, cobalt and stainless steel. For example, the heating element 28 can be formed from nickel aluminide, a material with an alumina layer on the surface, an iron aluminide, and other composites, and the electroresistive material can optionally be embedded in, encapsulated in or coated with an insulating material, or vice versa, in depending on the kinetics of energy transfer and the required external physical and chemical properties. The heating element 28 may contain at least one material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, copper, copper alloys, nickel-chromium alloys, superalloys, and combinations thereof. In some exemplary embodiments, the heating element 28 may be formed from nickel-chromium alloys or iron-chromium alloys. In some exemplary embodiments, the heating element 28 may be a ceramic heater having an electroresistive layer on its outer surface. In some exemplary embodiments, the heating element 28 may comprise a porous ceramic material. In some exemplary embodiments, the heating element 28 may comprise one or more resistive elements, including one or more wires, contained in the ceramic material if the ceramic material may be a porous ceramic material.

The heating element 28 can heat the finished composition for evaporation by conduction. Alternatively, the heat from the heating element 28 can be transferred to the finished composition for evaporation by the heat transfer element, or the heating element 28 can transfer heat to the incoming ambient air, which is drawn in through the electronic vaping device 60, which in turn , heats the finished composition for evaporation by convection.

In some exemplary embodiments, the evaporator assembly 22 may include a heating element 28 that is a porous material containing a resistive heater formed from a material having a high electrical resistance to generate heat quickly.

In some exemplary embodiments, the cartridge 70 may be replaceable. In other words, after one of the flavorant or ready-to-vaporize cartridge is used up, only the cartridge 70 can be replaced. In some exemplary embodiments, the entire electronic vaping device 60 can be discarded when reservoir 24 is depleted.

In some exemplary embodiments, the electronic vaping device 60 may be from about 80 millimeters to about 110 millimeters in length and from about 7 millimeters to about 8 millimeters in diameter. For example, in some exemplary embodiments, the electronic vaping device 60 may be approximately 84 millimeters long and may have a diameter of approximately 7.8 millimeters.

In some exemplary embodiments, the finished vaporization composition may contain one or more flavors. A flavoring agent can contain one or more natural flavors or artificial ("synthetic") flavors. The fragrance can contain one or more herbal extracts. In some exemplary embodiments, the flavor is one or more of tobacco, menthol, wintergren, peppermint, herbal flavors, fruit flavors, nut flavors, liqueur flavors, and combinations thereof. In some exemplary embodiments, the flavor is contained in the plant material. Plant material can contain material from one or more plants. The plant material can contain one or more herbaceous plants, spices, fruits, roots, leaves, herbs, or the like. For example, the plant material can contain an orange peel material and a bison material. In another example, the plant material may comprise tobacco material.

In some exemplary embodiments, the tobacco material may comprise material from any member of the Nicotiana genus . In some exemplary embodiments, the tobacco material comprises a mixture of two or more different varieties of tobacco. Examples of suitable types of tobacco materials that can be used include, but are not limited to, fire-cured tobacco, Burley tobacco, Maryland tobacco, Oriental tobacco, dark tobacco, rare tobacco, specialty tobacco, blends thereof, and the like. the material can be provided in any suitable form, including, but not limited to, tobacco plate, processed tobacco materials such as exploded or fluffed tobacco, processed tobacco stems such as cut or rolled fluffy stems, reconstituted tobacco materials, mixtures thereof, etc. n. In some exemplary embodiments, the tobacco material is in the form of a substantially dry tobacco mass.

FIG. 2A, a perspective view of an evaporator assembly 22 is shown, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments. FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view along line IIB-IIB 'of the evaporator assembly of FIG. 2A. FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view along line IIC-IIC 'of the evaporator assembly of FIG. 2A. In some exemplary embodiments, the evaporator assembly 22 illustrated in FIG. 2A-C may be evaporator assembly 22 illustrated in cartridge 70 of FIG. 1A-B.

The assembled evaporator 22 includes a reservoir 24, a channel structure 25, and a heating element 28. The reservoir 24 includes an outer casing 202 and a sealing element 204 (for example, an O-ring element) that at least partially forms the interior 201 of the reservoir 24. The reservoir 24 can hold the pre-evaporated composition in the interior of the reservoir 201. The outer housing 202, the sealing member 204, and at least part of the channel structure 25 form the interior 201 of the reservoir 24. The reservoir 24 holds the pre-evaporated composition in the interior 201.

In some example embodiments, including the exemplary embodiments illustrated below in at least FIG. 2A-C and FIG. 3, the channel structure 25 comprises a channel structure surface 216 which comprises first and second channel structure surface portions 212-1 and 212-2, respectively. The first surface portion 212-1 of the channel structure 216 defines the boundary of the interior 201 of the reservoir, thus the first surface portion 212-1 of the structure of the channels 216 is in fluid communication with the interior 201 of the reservoir.

The channel structure 25 contains open microchannels 220-1-220-N on the surface of the channel structure 216. "N" can be a positive integer, the value of which is at least one (1). Open microchannels 220-1-220-N extend between the first and second guide portions 212-1 and 212-2. In some exemplary embodiments, one or more open microchannels 220-1-220-N is a groove in the surface of the channel structure 216. The recess of each open microchannel 220-1-220-N extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the open microchannels 220-1-220 -N from the surface of the channel structure 216 into the interior of the channel structure 25. Open microchannels 220-1-220-N can draw in the ready-to-evaporate composition from the reservoir 24 as a result of the transfer of the ready-to-evaporate composition through the open microchannels 220-1-220-N from the first part 212-1 of the surface of the channel structure to the second part 212-2 of the surface of the channel structure.

The portions of the open microchannels 220-1-220-N passing through the first surface portion 212-1 of the channel structure are in fluid communication with the interior 201 of the reservoir. The portions of the open microchannels 220-1-220-N passing through the first surface portion 212-1 of the channel structure may receive the ready-to-vaporize composition from the interior 201 of the reservoir. The open microchannels 220-1-220-N can transfer the resulting ready-to-vaporize composition from the first surface portion 212-1 of the channel structure to the second surface portion 212-2 of the channel structure as a result of the capillary action of the open microchannels 220-1-220-N.

The second portion 212-2 of the surface of the channel structure is limited from being in direct fluid communication with the interior 201 of the reservoir. The second portion 212-2 of the surface of the channel structure is limited from being in direct fluid communication with the pre-evaporated composition held in the interior 201 of the reservoir. As shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2C, the sealing member 204 seals or substantially seals the contact surface 230 with the surface of the channel structure 216 so that the flow of the finished vaporization composition from the interior 201 of the reservoir is restricted to flow through the open microchannels 220-1-220-N.

In some exemplary embodiments, including the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIG. 2A-C, vaporizer assembly 22 includes one or more heating elements 28 configured to heat the vaporization formulation drawn into the second surface portion 212-2 of the channel structure via open microchannels 220-1-220-N. In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIG. 2A-C, one or more heating elements 28 are attached to the guide 25 in the second surface portion 212-2 of the channel structure.

In some exemplary embodiments, including the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIG. 2A-C, the channel structure 25 comprises a cylindrical member 210. The cylindrical member 210 extends between the reservoir 24 and the outside of the reservoir 24 such that the cylindrical member 210 at least partially forms an annular reservoir interior 210 that surrounds the first surface portion 212-1 of the structure channels. In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIG. 2A-C, the channel structure 25 includes a disc-shaped member 214 that forms the base of the interior 201 of the reservoir. As further shown in FIG. 2A-C, the surface of the channel structure 216 may extend between the cylindrical and disc-shaped members 210 and 214, and the open microchannels 220-1-220-N may extend between the cylindrical and disc-shaped members 210 and 214.

In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIG. 2A-C, the structure of the channels 25 has a continuous curved shape (for example, no peaks or edges of the surface) between the cylindrical and disc-shaped members 210 and 214. Such a continuous curved shape can improve the transfer of the finished composition for evaporation through the open microchannels 220-1-220-N because the amount of the pre-evaporated composition retained in the inside 201 of the tank is reduced. For example, due to the fact that the amount of the vaporization formulation is reduced, the remaining vaporization formulation may create an annular reserve surrounding portions of the disc-shaped member 214, thus the vaporization formulation remains in fluid communication with the open microchannels 220-1-220- N extending along the disk-shaped element 214. As shown, the open microchannels 220-1-220-N extend along the cylindrical element 210 parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical element 210, and the open microchannels 220-1 further extend along the disk-shaped element 214 radially outer the boundary of the disc-shaped element 214 relative to 210 of the cylindrical element.

In some exemplary embodiments, one or more of the cylindrical member 210 and the disc-shaped member 214 may be missing from the guide member 25.

In some exemplary embodiments, the structure of the channels 25 is adapted to be drawn from the reservoir 24 of the finished vaporization composition having one or more specific series of inherent properties. For example, the structures of the channels 25 may contain one or more open microchannels 220-1-220-N configured to draw in the finished composition for evaporation as a result of the capillary action of the open microchannels 220-1-220-N, if or when the finished composition for evaporation has one or more specific inherent properties.

Such inherent properties can include the viscosity of the finished composition for evaporation. For example, in some exemplary embodiments, the implementation of one or more open microchannels 220-1-220-N is configured to retract as a result of capillary action of one or more open microchannels 220-1-220-N of a ready-made evaporation composition that has a viscosity in the range of about 1 centipoise to about 60 centipoise.

Such inherent properties may relate to the composition of the finished material for evaporation. For example, in some exemplary embodiments, the implementation of one or more open microchannels 220-1-220-N is configured to retract as a result of capillary action of one or more open microchannels 220-1-220-N of a ready-to-evaporate composition that contains a mixture of 80 percent glycerol and 20 percent propylene glycol.

In some exemplary embodiments, the channel structure 25 may be one or more open microchannels 220-1-220-N by performing one or more open microchannel molding processes. Such processes can be carried out by one or more of a worker and a machine device. A machine device may perform such processes by executing one or more example instructions of computer-executable program code that are stored in one or more instances of non-volatile computer-readable media.

In some exemplary embodiments, the channel structure 25 is a molded member that is molded to accommodate one or more open microchannels 220-1-220-N, thus the open microchannels 220-1-220-N are formed in parallel with the formation of the channel structure 25 in according to the molding by which the structure of the channels 25 is molded. For example, the structure of the channels 25 may be a PTFE molded body. In some exemplary embodiments, the channel structure may be accomplished through a three-dimensional (3D) printing process.

In some exemplary embodiments, the channel structure 25 is a cast member that contains open microchannels 220-1-220-N, such that such open microchannels 220-1-220-N are formed in parallel with the formation of the channel structure 25 in accordance with casting, by which is formed the structure of channels 25.

In some exemplary embodiments, the open microchannels 220-1-220-N are formed by removing one or more portions of the channel structure 25. Such formation may include “cutting”, “etching”, “chopping”, some combination thereof, or the like for creating one or more open microchannels 220-1-220-N in one or more surfaces of the channel structure 25.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an evaporator assembly 22 in accordance with some exemplary embodiments. In some exemplary embodiments, the evaporator assembly 22 illustrated in FIG. 3 may be an evaporator assembly 22 contained in cartridge 70 of FIG. 1A-B.

Referring to FIG. 3, the evaporator assembly 22 may include a planar or substantially planar channel structure 25 that at least partially defines the boundary (“surface”) of the interior 201 of the reservoir and extends beyond the reservoir 24.

As shown in FIG. 3, the planar 25 channel structure comprises a channel structure surface 216 having first and second channel structure surface portions 212-1 and 212-2. The first and second portions 212-1 and 212-2 of the surface of the channel structure can at least partially be formed by acting on the interior 201 of the reservoir. The first portion 212-1 of the surface of the channel structure is a portion of the surface of the structure of channels 216 that is in direct fluid communication with the interior 201 of the reservoir if the interior 201 of the reservoir is at least partially formed by the guide member 25, the outer casing 202 and the base 302 The second portion 212-2 of the surface of the channel structure is a portion of the surface of the structure of channels 216 that is limited from being in direct fluid communication with the interior 201 of the reservoir. The first and second guide portions 212-1 and 212-2 may be formed by a contact surface 230 between the sealing element 204 and the surface of the channel structure 216. The sealing element 204 can seal or substantially seal the contact surface 230, thus the vaporization flow from the inner portion 201 of the reservoir is limited to flow through one or more open microchannels 220-1-220-N that extend between the first and second portions 212-1 and 212-2 of the surface of the channel structure.

The structure of the channels 25 contains one or more open microchannels 220-1-220-N, which are configured to draw in the finished composition for evaporation from the inner part 201 of the reservoir. Open microchannels 220-1-220-N extend between the first and second surface portions 212-1 and 212-2 of the channel structure. Open microchannels 220-1-220-N can draw in the ready-to-evaporate composition from the interior 201 of the reservoir into the second part of the surface of the channel structure as a result of the capillary action of the ready-made evaporation composition through the open microchannels 220-1-220-N.

As shown in FIG. 3, some exemplary embodiments of an evaporator assembly 22 include a heating element 28 attached to a second surface portion 212-2 of the channel structure. The heating element 28 can heat the ready-to-vaporize composition drawn into the second surface portion 212-2 of the channel structure through the open microchannels 220-1-220-N. Thus, the heating element 28 can vaporize the retractable vaporization composition to form vapor 95.

In some exemplary embodiments, evaporator assembly 22 comprises capillary material 390 that is in contact with one or more portions from second surface portion 212-2 of the channel structure and heating element 28. Capillary material 390 may be fibrous capillary material. Capillary material 390 may be in fluid communication with one or more open microchannels 220-1-220-N in the second surface portion 212-2 of the channel structure. Capillary material 390 may be in fluid communication with heating element 28 and with one or more open microchannels 220-1-220-N.

Capillary material 390 can connect one or more open microchannels 220-1-220-N to heating element 28. In some exemplary embodiments, capillary material 390 can draw in the finished composition for vaporization from one or more open microchannels 220-1-220-N across towards the heating element 28, so that the ready-to-evaporate composition in the capillary material 390 is in fluid communication with the heating element 28. The ready-to-evaporate composition drawn from the open microchannels 220-1-220-N by the capillary material 390 can be heated and evaporate by heating element 28.

Examples of suitable materials for capillary material 390 can be, but are not limited to, materials based on glass, ceramic, or graphite. The capillary material 390 may have any suitable capillary retraction action to accommodate the ready-to-vaporize compositions having different physical properties such as density, viscosity, surface tension, and vapor pressure.

4A is a cross-sectional view of an evaporator assembly in accordance with some exemplary embodiments. FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the assembled evaporator section A of FIG. 4A. In some exemplary embodiments, the evaporator assembly 22 illustrated in FIG. 4A-B may be a vaporizer assembly 22 contained in cartridge 70 of FIG. 1A-B.

Referring to FIG. 4A-B, in some exemplary embodiments, the evaporator assembly 22 comprises a reservoir that is an annular element configured to hold the finished composition within the annular element, the evaporator assembly 22 further comprises a channel structure 25 that is a disc-shaped element, wherein the channel structure 25 comprises a first channel structure surface portion 212-1, which is the outer annular portion of the channel structure surface 216 and forms the basis of the annular element of the reservoir 24, and wherein the channel structure 25 comprises a second channel structure surface portion 212-2, which is the inner surface of the channel structure 216. The channel structure 25 may comprise one or more open microchannels 220-1-220-2 that extend radially between the outer annular surface portion 212-1 of the channel structure and the inner surface 212-2 of the channel structure. In addition, evaporator assembly 22 may include a heating element 28 attached to the inner surface 212-2 of the channel structure.

In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIG. 4A-B, the evaporator assembly 22 includes a disc-shaped channel structure 25 that forms the base of the evaporator assembly 22. The disc-shaped channel structure 25 has an upper surface that is the surface of the channel structure 216. As shown in FIG. 4A-B, the surface of the channel structure 216 contains open microchannels 220-1-220-N that extend radially from the interior of the disc-shaped channel structure 25.

In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIG. 4A-B, evaporator assembly 22 includes a cylindrical outer casing 202 and an inner tube 404 that together form an annular reservoir 24. The inner tube 404 further defines a cylindrical inner space 401 within the inner tube 404. As shown, the outer casing 202 and the inner tube 404 may be coupled to each other on top of evaporator assembly 22 to form an upper boundary of reservoir 24. In some exemplary embodiments, a gasket (not shown in FIGS. 4A-B) may be coupled to both inner tube 404 and outer casing 202 to form the upper end of the reservoir 24 if the upper end is the opposite end of the reservoir 24 relative to the end of the reservoir 24, which is at least partially formed by the disc-shaped guide member 25.

In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIG. 4A-B, the inner tube 404 and the outer casing 202 are attached to the disc-shaped guide 25, so that the first surface portion 212-1 of the channel structure 216 forms the boundary of the reservoir base 24. The first surface portion 212-1 of the channel structure 216 is an annular outer surface the channel structure 216. The first portion 212-1 of the surface of the channel structure 216 is in fluid communication with the interior of the reservoir 24. The portions of the open microchannels 220-1-220-N passing through the first surface portion 212-1 of the channel structure may receive a finished evaporative composition retained in reservoir 24.

As shown in FIG. 4A-B, an inner tube 404 divides the surface of the channel structure 216 between the first and second surface portions 212-1 and 212-2 of the channel structure. Open microchannels 220-1-220-N may extend radially between the first and second surface portions 212-1 and 212-2 of the channel structure. Open microchannels 220-1-220-N can draw in the ready-to-vaporize composition from the annular element of the reservoir 24 into the second portion 212-2 of the surface of the channel structure. The second surface portion 212-2 of the channel structure shown in FIG. 4A, is in fluid communication with the interior 401.

In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIG. 4A-B, the channel structure 25 includes an opening 402 that extends through the interior of the channel structure 25, thus the channel structure 25 is an annular element. The opening 402 can be an air inlet. The evaporator assembly 22 may be configured to draw air into the interior space 401 through the opening 402.

In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIG. 4A-B, evaporator assembly 22 includes one or more heating elements 28 attached to a surface that at least partially defines interior space 401. As shown in FIG. 4A, heating element 28 may be attached to inner tube 404. In some exemplary embodiments, heating element 28 may be attached to one or more portions of second surface portion 212-2 of channel structure 216. Heating element 28 may be configured to generate heat for heating the finished vaporization composition drawn into the second surface portion 212-2 of the channel structure 216 by means of the open microchannels 220-1-220-N, thereby generating steam in the interior space 401.

In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIG. 4A-B, the evaporator assembly 22 includes an opening 410 that defines the upper end of the inner space 401. The opening 410 may be located at the opposite end of the inner space 401 from the end of the inner space 401, which is at least partially formed by the guide member 25. The steam generated in guide member 25, drawn into the second surface portion 212-2 of the channel structure 216 by evaporation of the finished vaporization composition, may be drawn through interior space 401 to exit the evaporator assembly 22 through opening 410. In some exemplary embodiments, steam generated in the second portions 212-2 of the surface of the channel structure may be entrained by air being drawn into the interior space 401 through the opening 402. A mixture of air and entrained vapor may be drawn through the interior space 401 and from the opening 402 towards and through the opening 410.

In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIG. 4A-B, evaporator assembly 22 includes one or more vents 412 that extend through inner tube 404 between interior 401 and reservoir 24. In some exemplary embodiments, one or more vents 412 may be pressure-reducing vents provided with the possibility of venting one or more fluids (liquids, gases, etc.) from the reservoir 24 into the interior space 401 if or when the internal pressure inside the reservoir is equal to or higher than a certain threshold pressure.

In some exemplary embodiments, vaporizer assembly 22 comprises capillary material 490 that is in contact with one or more portions from second surface portion 212-2 of the channel structure and heating element 28. Capillary material 490 may be fibrous capillary material. Capillary material 490 may be in fluid communication with one or more open microchannels 220-1-220-N in the second surface portion 212-2 of the channel structure. Capillary material 490 may be in fluid communication with heating element 28 and with one or more open microchannels 220-1-220-N.

Capillary material 490 can connect one or more open microchannels 220-1-220-N to heating element 28. In some exemplary embodiments, capillary material 490 can draw in the finished composition for vaporization from one or more open microchannels 220-1-220-N across towards the heating element 28, whereby the ready-to-evaporate composition in the capillary material 490 is in fluid communication with the heating element 28. The ready-to-evaporate composition drawn from the open microchannels 220-1-220-N by the capillary material 490 can be heated and evaporate by heating element 28.

Examples of suitable materials for capillary material 490 can be, but are not limited to, glass, ceramic, or graphite based materials. The capillary material 490 can be characterized by any suitable capillary retraction action to contain the ready-to-evaporate compositions having different physical properties such as density, viscosity, surface tension, and vapor pressure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective cross-sectional view of an assembled evaporator according to some exemplary embodiments. In some exemplary embodiments, the evaporator assembly 22 illustrated in FIG. 5 may be an evaporator assembly 22 contained in cartridge 70 of FIG. 1A-B.

Referring to FIG. 5, in some exemplary embodiments, the evaporator assembly 22 comprises 25 a channel structure that at least partially accommodates a reservoir 24, so the surface 216 of the channel structure 25 is the inner surface of the channel structure 25. In addition, the first surface portion 212-1 of the structure channels may at least partially form the boundary of the interior of the reservoir 24.

As shown in FIG. 5, the channel structure 25 may be an empty cylindrical member that defines an interior space 510 having an opening 512 at one end and delimited by the interior surface 216 of the empty cylindrical member. Open microchannels 220-1-220-N may extend between the first and second surface portions 212-1 and 212-2 of the channel structure, defining the interior space 510.

The reservoir 24 may be formed by at least a first surface portion 212-1 of the channel structure. The reservoir 24 may further be formed by a sealing member 204 that seals or substantially seals the interior space 510 on the contact surface 230. Thus, the sealing member 204 may divide the interior space 510 into a first section delimited by the first surface portion 212-1 of the channel structure 216. and a second section delimited by the second surface portion 212-2 of the channel structure 216. The first section may form a reservoir 24. Sealing element 204 may restrict the flow of the finished vaporization composition from reservoir 24 to flow through one or more open microchannels 220-1-220-N that extend between the first and second surface portions 212-1 and 212-2 of the channel structure.

In the exemplary embodiments of the evaporator assembly 22 illustrated in FIG. 5, the duct structure 25 includes one or more air inlets 504 that extend between the outer portion of the duct structure 25 and the interior 510. The air inlets 504 may direct air into the interior 510. Such air directed into the interior may retract from the interior 510 through the opening 512 at the end of the channel structure 25.

As shown in FIG. 5, the open microchannels 220-1-220-N can draw in the finished composition for evaporation from the first portion 212-1 of the surface of the channel structure, which forms the boundary of the reservoir 24, into the second portion 212-2 of the surface of the channel structure, which forms the boundary of the open interior space 510 ...

In the exemplary embodiments of the evaporator assembly 22 illustrated in FIG. 5, a heating element 28 is attached to the second surface portion 212-2 of the channel structure. Heating element 28 may extend around inner surface 216 as shown in FIG. 5. As shown below, the open microchannels 220-1-220-N can pass through the second surface portion 212-2 of the channel structure to fluidly communicate with the heating element 28. If or when a ready-to-vaporize composition is drawn from reservoir 24 into at least the second part 212-2 of the surface of the channel structure through the open microchannels 220-1-220-N, the heating element 28 can heat the finished composition for evaporation with the formation of steam in the internal space 510, defined by the second part 212-2 of the surface of the channel structure. As further shown in FIG. 5, the heating element 28 can be positioned closer to the opening 512 compared to the distance between the air inlets 504 and the opening 512. Thus, the finished vaporization composition vaporized by the heating element 28 can be drawn through the opening 512 by air, which is drawn into the internal space 510 through one or more air inlets 504.

In some exemplary embodiments, the channel structure 25 illustrated in FIG. 5 is at least a portion of the outer casing 16 of the cartridge 70 illustrated in FIG. 1A-B. The air inlets 504 may be the air inlets 44 illustrated in FIG. 1A-B.

FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, FIG. 6C and FIG. 6D illustrates cross-sectional views of open microchannels according to some exemplary embodiments. In some exemplary embodiments, the open microchannels 220-1 illustrated in FIG. 6A-D may be an open microchannel 220-1 included in any of the exemplary embodiments of guiding elements 25 contained herein, including the channel structure 25 illustrated in FIG. 1B.

Referring to FIG. 6A-D, in some exemplary embodiments, one or more open microchannels 220-1-220-N in guide member 25 may have one or more different sizes, cross-sectional areas, cross-sectional shapes, and combinations thereof. The dimensions, cross-sectional areas, cross-sectional shapes and combinations thereof of one or more open microchannels 220-1-220-N may be based on one or more properties of the ready-to-evaporate compositions that can be carried by open microchannels 220-1-220-N, respectively. ...

Referring to FIG. 6A, the open microchannel 220-1 may have a rectangular cross-sectional shape, thus the open microchannel 220-1 has a specific width 602, a specific depth 604, and a specific cross-sectional area 610-1. The open microchannel 220-1 may be configured to move the existing finished vaporization composition at one or more flow rates based on one or more of the width 602, the depth 604, the cross-sectional area 610-1, and the cross-sectional shape of the existing open microchannel 220- one.

As shown in Table 1 below, open microchannels 220-1-220-N can have one or more different widths and depths. Such open microchannels 220-1-220-N may be rectangular open microchannels 220-1 as shown in FIG. 6A. As shown, the width of the rectangular open microchannel can range from about 100 micrometers to about 300 micrometers, inclusive. As further illustrated, the depth of the open microchannels 220-1 can range from about 150 micrometers to about 300 micrometers, inclusive. It will be appreciated that the dimensions of the open microchannel shown in Table 1 may be those of the open microchannels 220-1 having non-rectangular cross-sectional shapes, as will be further described below.

Table 1 - dimensions of an open microchannel

Microchannel size Width (micrometers) Depth (micrometers) Cross-sectional area (square meters) "Small" microchannel one hundred 150 1.5 × 10 ^-8 "Medium" microchannel 200 300 6.0 × 10 ^-8 "Big" microchannel 300 300 9.0 × 10 ^-8

In some exemplary embodiments, the rate at which the finished vaporization composition is drawn in through the open microchannel 220-1 may be based on one or more of the dimensions and cross-sectional area of the open microchannel 220-1. For example, a separate “small” open microchannel 220-1 may be configured to draw in an available pre-formulation for evaporation at a rate of approximately 0.01 microliters per second. In another example, a separate "middle" open microchannel 220-1 may be configured to draw in an available pre-formulation for evaporation at a rate of approximately 0.06 microliters per second. In another example, a separate “large” open microchannel 220-1 may be configured to draw in an available pre-formulation for evaporation at a rate of approximately 0.09 microliters per second.

In some exemplary embodiments, the number of open microchannels 220-1-220-N contained in the guide member 25 may be inversely proportional to one or more of the dimensions and cross-sectional area of the open microchannels 220-1-220-N. For example, a channel structure 25 that contains many "large" open microchannels (300 μm wide and 300 μm deep) may have fewer open microchannels 220-1-220-N than a channel structure 25 that contains many "small" open microchannels (100 μm wide and 150 μm deep).

Accordingly, in some exemplary embodiments, the overall speed at which the ready-to-vaporize composition is drawn in by the guide member 25 may be based on one or more of the dimensions and cross-sectional areas of the open microchannels 220-1-220-N contained in the guide member 25.

For example, a channel structure 25 that contains several "small" open microchannels 220-1-220-N can be configured to draw in the finished composition for evaporation at a total rate of approximately 0.5 microliters / sec. In another example, the channel structure 25, which contains several "large" open microchannels 220-1-220-N, can be configured to draw in the finished composition for evaporation at a total rate of approximately 4.0 microliters / sec.

Referring to FIG. 6B, open microchannel 220-1 may have a triangular cross-sectional shape, thus open microchannel 220-1 has a specific width 602, a specific depth 604, and a specific triangular cross-section 610-2. Whereas the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIG. 6B show an open microchannel having an equilateral triangular cross-section 610-2, it should be understood that an open microchannel 220-1 may have one or more different triangular cross-sectional shapes, including an isosceles triangular shape, a right-angled triangular shape, and a versatile triangular shape. Open microchannel 220-1 may be configured to move an existing ready-to-vaporize composition at one or more flow rates based on one or more of the width 602, depth 604, cross-sectional area 610-2, and cross-sectional shape of the existing open microchannel. Referring again to Table 1, the triangular open microchannel 220-1 in some exemplary embodiments may have a width 602 equal to one of the widths included in Table 1. Still referring to Table 1, the triangular open microchannel 220-1 in some exemplary embodiments implementation can have a depth equal to one of the depths included in table 1.

Referring to FIG. 6C, open microchannel 220-1 may have a parabolic cross-sectional shape, thus open microchannel 220-1 has a specific width 602, a specific depth 604, and a specific parabolic cross-section 610-3. Whereas the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIG. 6C show an open microchannel having a semicircular cross section 610-3, it should be understood that an open microchannel 220-1 may have one or more different parabolic cross-sectional shapes. Open microchannel 220-1 may be configured to move an existing ready-to-vaporize composition at one or more flow rates based on one or more of the width 602, depth 604, cross-sectional area 610-3, and cross-sectional shape of the existing open microchannel. Referring again to Table 1, the parabolic open microchannel 220-1 in some exemplary embodiments may have a width 602 equal to one of the widths included in Table 1. Still referring to Table 1, the parabolic open microchannel 220-1 in some exemplary embodiments implementation may have a depth equal to one of the depths included in table 1.

Referring to FIG. 6D, open microchannel 220-1 may have a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape, thus open microchannel 220-1 has a specific first width 602, a specific second width 603, a specific depth 604, and a specific trapezoidal cross-section 610-4. In some example embodiments, the first width 602 may be greater than the second width 603. The first width 602 may be greater than the second width 603 to facilitate the formation of an open microchannel 220-1. Open microchannel 220-1 may be configured to move an existing ready-to-vaporize composition at one or more flow rates based on one or more of the width 602, depth 604, cross-sectional area 610-3, and cross-sectional shape of the existing open microchannel. Referring again to Table 1, trapezoidal open microchannel 220-1 in some example embodiments may have a first width 602 equal to one of the widths included in Table 1. Still referring to Table 1, trapezoidal open microchannel 220-1 in some example embodiments may have a second width 603 equal to one of the widths included in Table 1. Still referring to Table 1, the trapezoidal open microchannel 220-1 in some exemplary embodiments may have a depth equal to one of the depths included in Table 1 ...

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an open microchannel and hydrophilic layer in accordance with some exemplary embodiments. In some exemplary embodiments, the surface of the channel structure 216 and the open microchannel 220-1 illustrated in FIG. 7 may be the surface of the channel structure 216 and the open microchannel 220-1 contained in any of the exemplary embodiments of the guide members 25 included herein, including the channel structure 25 illustrated in FIG. 1B.

As described above, in some exemplary embodiments, the channel structure 25 may comprise a hydrophilic material. Referring to FIG. 7, in some exemplary embodiments, the channel structure 25 may comprise a hydrophilic layer 702 on one or more of the surface of the channel structure 216 and one or more open microchannels 220-1-220-N. In some exemplary embodiments, the hydrophilic layer 702 may comprise a layer of one or more materials. For example, the hydrophilic layer 702 can contain polyethylene glycol (PEG). The hydrophilic layer 702 may contain a PEG coating on one or more of the surface of the channel structure 216 and one or more open microchannels 220-1-220-N. In some exemplary embodiments, the implementation of the hydrophilic layer 702 can be applied to one or more of the surface of the structure of channels 216 and one or more open microchannels 220-1-220-N in accordance with one or more bonding processes. In some exemplary embodiments, the plasma activation process may be performed on one or more of the surface of the channel structure 216 and one or more open microchannels 220-1-220-N by plasma treatment such that one or more of the surface of the channel structure 216 and one or more open microchannels 220-1-220-N can be hydrophilic. One or more of the surface of the channel structure 216 and one or more open microchannels 220-1-220-N may maintain an activated plasma state if or when one or more of the surface of the channel structure 216 and one or more open microchannels 220-1-220- N are in fluid communication. Plasma activation by plasma treatment may include removing weak boundary layers from one or more of the surface of the channel structure 216 and one or more open microchannels 220-1-220-N, crosslinking surface molecules in one or more of the surface of the channel structure 216 and one or more open microchannels 220-1-220-N, the formation of polar groups in one or more of the surface of the structure of channels 216 and one or more open microchannels 220-1-220-N, some combination thereof, or the like.

In some exemplary embodiments, including the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIG. 7, the hydrophilic layer 702 is located on at least a portion of the surface of the channel structure 216 and on one or more surfaces 701 of the open microchannel 220-1. As shown in FIG. 7, the hydrophilic layer 702 may have a first layer portion 704-1 located on the surface of the channel structure 216 and a second layer portion 704-2 that is located on one or more microchannel surfaces 701.

The hydrophilic layer 702 on the guide member 25 may allow the guide member 25 to draw the finished composition for evaporation through the open microchannels 220-1-220-N at an increased speed. For example, the hydrophilic layer 702 can improve the movement of the pre-evaporated composition through the open microchannel 220-1 as a result of the enhanced capillary action of the pre-evaporated composition through the open microchannel 220-1.

In some exemplary embodiments, the first layer portion 704-1 may be missing from the guide 25, so the hydrophilic layer 702 is delimited by the portion 704-2 located on the microchannel surfaces 701 and is absent from the surface of the channel structure 216. The first layer portion 704-1 may be removed after applying the hydrophilic layer 702 to both the surface of the channel structure 216 and the surface 701 of the microchannels. For example, the hydrophilic layer 702 can be applied according to one or more different layering methods (coating, deposition, etc.). The first layer portion 704-1 may be removed according to one or more layer removal methods (eg, etching, milling, etc.) such that the second layer portion 704-2 remains.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an evaporator assembly 22 in accordance with some exemplary embodiments. In some exemplary embodiments, the evaporator assembly 22 illustrated in FIG. 8 may be an evaporator assembly 22 contained in cartridge 70 of FIG. 1A-B.

Referring to FIG. 8, evaporator assembly 22 may include multiple reservoirs 804-1-804-N. Each 804-1-804-N reservoir can hold a different pre-evaporated composition. The evaporator assembly 22 may include one or more portions 810-1-810-N, each of which separates at least two reservoirs 804-1-804-N.

As shown in FIG. 8, the structure of the channels 25 may at least partially define the boundaries of each of the reservoirs 804-1-804-N. The channel structures 25 may comprise multiple surface portions 212-1 of the channel structure, each of which is in fluid communication with a separate reservoir from reservoirs 804-1-804-N. As shown in FIG. 8, for example, the cylindrical structure of the channels 25 may define a portion of the lateral boundary of each of the reservoirs 804-1-804-N such that the structure of the channels 25 comprises a plurality of separate first surface portions 212-1 of the channel structure 216, each separate first portion 212 -1 surface of the channel structure is in fluid communication with a separate reservoir 804.

In some exemplary embodiments, including the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIG. 8, the channel structure 25 contains several sets of 802-1-802-N open microchannels 220-1-220-N. Each individual set 802-1-802-N may contain at least one open microchannel of open microchannels 220-1-220-N. Each separate set 802-1-802-N of open microchannels extends through a separate first surface portion 212-1 of the channel structure. Thus, each distinct set of open microchannels 802-1-802-N may be at least partially in fluid communication with a different reservoir 804-1-804-N. Thus, each separate set of open microchannels 802-1-802-N can be configured to draw in the finished composition for vaporization from a different reservoir 804-1-804-N.

If or when two or more 804-1-804-N tanks hold different vaporization pre-formulations, separate sets of 802-1-802-N open microchannels can draw in different vaporization precursors from different 804-1-804-N tanks. respectively.

The individual open microchannel sets 802-1-802-N can have different sizes, properties, etc. For example, the set 802-1 can contain a specific number of microchannels that have a specific width, a specific length, and a specific cross-sectional shape. In another example, set 802-2 may contain a distinct number of open microchannels compared to the open microchannels contained in set 802-1. The set 802-2 can contain one or more open microchannels that have one or more of a distinct width, a separate depth, and a separate cross-sectional shape, as compared to the open microchannels included in the set 802-1. In another example, the open microchannel set 802-1 may comprise a hydrophilic layer on the surfaces of the open microchannels, while the hydrophilic layer may not be present in the open microchannel set 802-2.

The individual sets of 802-1-802-N open microchannels can have different sizes, properties according to different pre-evaporated compositions that can be held in reservoirs 804-1-804-N, respectively. In some exemplary embodiments, the individual sets of 802-1-802-N open microchannels can have different sizes, properties according to different flow rates of the finished composition for evaporation associated with individual respective tanks 804-1-804-N, with which the individual sets 802- 1-802-N open microchannels are in fluid communication.

Evaporator assembly 22 may comprise one or more heating elements 28 (not shown in FIG. 8) that may be configured to vaporize the finished vaporization composition drawn from one or more reservoirs 804-1-804-N through one or more sets of open microchannels 220-1-220-N. In some exemplary embodiments, a separate heating element 28 may be configured to vaporize multiple vaporization precursors drawn from individual respective reservoirs 804-1-804-N through separate respective sets of open microchannels 802-1-802-N.

FIG. 9A, fig. 9B, FIG. 9C and FIG. 9D illustrates perspective views of assembled evaporators according to some exemplary embodiments. In some exemplary embodiments, one or more evaporator assemblies 22 illustrated in FIG. 9A-D may be vaporizer assembly 22 illustrated in cartridge 70 of FIG. 1A-B. Referring to FIG. 9A-D, evaporator assembly 22 may include a channel structure 25 that includes a cylindrical member.

Referring to FIG. 9A, evaporator assembly 22 may include a heating element 28 that includes a surface heater 902. The surface heater 902 may be in contact with at least a portion of the surface of the channel structure 216 of the channel structure 25. The surface heater 902, in some exemplary embodiments, is at least partially forms the body of a part of one or more open microchannels 220-1-220-N. Thus, one or more open microchannels may include a portion of a closed microchannel. As shown in the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIG. 9A, portions of the closed microchannels of the open microchannels 220-1-220-N may be formed by a guide member 25 and a surface heater 902.

In some exemplary embodiments, the surface heater 902 at least partially fills the cross-sectional area of one or more open microchannels 220-1-220-N, thereby establishing an end point of the finished vaporization composition stream that may flow through one or more open microchannels 220 -1-220-N. The ready-to-vaporize composition that can flow through the open microchannels 220-1-220-N can flow in contact with the surface heater 902.

In some exemplary embodiments, the surface heater 902 may include one or more of a planar heater, a conformal heater, some combination thereof, or the like. In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 9A, for example, the surface heater 902 is a conformal heater that surrounds a portion of the channel structure 25.

In some exemplary embodiments, including the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 9A, heater 902 may be at least partially wrapped around the circumference of the cylindrical channel structure 25. Such heater 902 may extend along at least a portion of the length ("L") of the channel structure 25.

In some exemplary embodiments, the surface heater 902 may be in contact with a portion of the outer circumference of the cylindrical structure of the channels 25. The conformal planar surface heater 902 may extend along a certain portion of the circumference of the element 25. The conformal planar surface heater 902 may comprise a heater element located in one or more configurations. One or more configurations may include an undulating configuration. The wave-like configuration may include a sinusoidal wave-like configuration of the heater elements. Sine waves included in a sinusoidal wave-like configuration can be spaced apart from each other by a certain distance.

As shown in the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIG. 9A, the surface heater 902 may be a conformal annular surface heater that extends completely around the circumference of the channel structure 25. The conformal annular surface heater 902 may include a heater element disposed in one or more configurations. One or more configurations may include an undulating configuration. The wave-like configuration may include a sinusoidal wave-like configuration of the heater elements. Sine waves included in a sinusoidal wave-like configuration can be spaced apart from each other by a certain distance. The conformal annular surface heater may extend along a portion of the length "L" of the channel structure 25. In some exemplary embodiments, the heaters are resistive heaters.

A surface heater, including a conformal heater, a planar heater, and so on, may be a flexible heater. The flexible heater can be a thick film heater made of one or more thick films. The flexible heater may contain one or more resistive tracks arranged in a resistive track pattern on the substrate. The substrate can be a flexible substrate. The flexible heater may comprise one or more adhesive layers configured to attach the flexible heater to a surface, including a gel forming surface. The adhesive layer may contain a contact adhesive (PSA) layer.

The thick film heater may be a printed thick film heater, in which the resistive track circuit included in the thick film heater is a paste material circuit printed on the substrate film layer. The paste material may include resistive paste. The film may contain a PSA layer applied to the substrate on which the paste is printed. The thick film heater may comprise another layer applied to the substrate and a paste layer with a PSA layer. In some exemplary embodiments, the film layer comprises a 0.05-inch thick thermoplastic or thermosetting polymeric material, which material can have thermal conductivity while providing electrical insulation. For example, the film layer can be made from polyester or polyimide. An additional layer of PSA can be applied to the outer surface of the thick film heater so that the thick film heater can be attached directly to the guide 25, thereby improving heat transfer between the heater 902 and the guide 25. Heat can be transferred to the finished vaporization composition carried through the open microchannels 220-1 -220-N, due to conduction through the channel structure 25.

In some exemplary embodiments, the thick film heater comprises a substrate made up of one or more of polyester, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, thermosetting coating, polyethylene naphthalene, polyimide, silicone rubber, or some combinations thereof. The thick film heater may comprise a PSA layer formed from one or more acrylic or silicone materials. The thick film heater may have a minimum width of 6 millimeters. The thick film heater can have a dielectric strength of up to 1500 Vac. current. Thick film heaters can have heat capacities up to 25 watts per square inch. The thick film heater can operate on mains voltage up to approximately 277 Vac. current or 277 Vdc. current. The thick film heater may have an overall maximum operating temperature of approximately 482 degrees Celsius.

In some exemplary embodiments, the flexible heater comprises one or more of a single-sided heater, a double-sided heater, a multilayer heater, a rigid flexible heater, and some combination thereof. The one-sided heater contains one heating element layer, which may be a resistive track. A double-sided heater contains two layers of a heating element. The flexible heater may include an embossed heating element, the embossed heating element having a variable thickness within the heating element. The embossed heating element can have exposed metal portions protruding from the heating element. Rigidly flexible heater contains at least one rigid layer and at least one flexible layer. The flexible heater may have a thickness of at least 0.004 inches. The flexible heater may contain at least two parallel tracks having different resistances. Parallel tracks can be activated separately and selectively to provide different heating rates. The flexible heater may have a bend radius that is approximately 10 times the thickness of the flexible heater. One or more heating elements in a flexible heater may be circular resistive tracks. If the flexible heater contains multiple layers of parallel heating elements, the individual layers can be configured in an unsymmetrical configuration, thereby providing additional flexibility to the flexible heater.

In some example embodiments, the surface heater 902 is a solid state heater. A solid state heater may include a heating element that is one or more sets of resistive tracks. The solid state heater may be a ceramic solid state heater. The solid state heater can be made from a combination of platinum and at least one ceramic material. The solid-state heater may have a three-dimensional geometry of the heating element. A solid state heater can contain several separate heating elements. The solid state heater may comprise an aluminum nitride ceramic material. A solid-state heater may comprise a ceramic material and one or more internal resistive tracks. The resistor track can be made of tungsten. The solid-state heater may contain aluminum nitride (ALN) ceramic and tungsten. If the solid state heater contains ALN and tungsten, then the tungsten and ALN can be chemically bonded. The oxide phase can be interdiffusion between ALN and tungsten.

A solid-state heater can have a coefficient of linear expansion of approximately 4.3 x 10 ^-6 degrees Celsius. A solid-state heater may have DC damage of 14 kV / mil, Young's modulus of approximately 322 gigapascals, flexural strength of approximately 350 megapascals, thermal conductivity of approximately 130 watts per meter-kelvin at 200 degrees Celsius, thermal conductivity, approximately 180 watts per meter-kelvin at room temperature, dielectric loss approximately 1.2 × 10 ^-4 at room temperature and 1 MHz, dielectric constant approximately 8.5-8.7 at room temperature and frequency at 1 MHz, and some combination of them. In some exemplary embodiments, the planar heater is a planar metal surface heater.

Referring to FIG. 9B, the evaporator assembly 22 may include a heating element 28 that is a coil heater 904. The coil heater 904 may be wrapped around the surface of the channel structure 216 of the channel structure 25. The coil heater 904, in some exemplary embodiments, may include a number of loops around the structure channels 25. Coil heater 904 can be located at a certain distance from the surface of the cylindrical body 50. The turns can be spaced at a certain distance.

Coil heater 904 may include wire wrapping. The wire winding can contain metal wires. The wire winding can run in whole or in part along the length of the distributing contact surface. The wirewrap can further extend wholly or partially around the circumference of the channel structure 25. In some exemplary embodiments, the wirewrap can be insulated from direct contact with the guide 25.

Referring to FIG. 9C, evaporator assembly 22 may include a heating element 28 that includes an induction coil heater 906. The induction coil heater 906 may not come into contact with the surface of the channel structure 216 of the channel structure 25. The induction coil heater 906 may be referred to as insulated from contact with the surface 216 of the channel structure 25. The induction coil heater 902 may be configured to heat the vaporization formulation carried through the open microchannels 220-1-220-N at a temperature sufficient to vaporize the vaporization formulation. The induction coil heater 906 may have a specific number of turns around the channel structure 25. The turns of the induction coil heater 906 may be positioned at a specific distance 910 from the surface 216 of the channel structure 25.

Heating element 28 containing induction coil heater 906 may be configured to apply induction heating by transferring energy from a primary coil (not shown in FIG. 9C) to coil heater 906 when coil heater 906 is a secondary coil.

Referring to FIG. 9D, evaporator assembly 22 may include a heating element 28 that includes a surface heater 912. The surface heater 912 may be located at the end of the channel structure 25. As shown in the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 9D, the surface heater 912 may be a surface heater in contact with the guide member 25. The surface heater 912 may be configured to transfer heat to the ready-to-vaporize composition carried through the open microchannels by conduction through the channel structure 25.

In some exemplary embodiments, if or when the open microchannels 220-1-220-N extend to the end of the channel structure 25, the surface heater 912 may set the end point of the open microchannels 220-1-220-N at the end of the channel structure 25. vapor drawn into the end of the channel structure 25 through the open microchannels 220-1-220-N may be in contact with one or more portions of the surface heater 912. The surface heater 912 may transfer heat to the finished compositions for vaporization as a result of at least partial conductivity between the surface heater 912 and the pre-evaporated composition at the contact surface between the surface heater 912 and the pre-evaporated composition at the end of the channel structure 25.

In some exemplary embodiments, the surface heater 912 may be one or more of a planar heater, a conformal heater, a ring heater, some combination thereof, etc. The surface heater, including a conformal heater, a planar heater, and the like, may be flexible. heater. The flexible heater can be a thick film heater made of one or more thick films. The flexible heater may contain one or more resistive tracks arranged in a resistive track pattern on the substrate. The substrate can be a flexible substrate. The flexible heater may comprise one or more adhesive layers configured to attach the flexible heater to a surface, including a gel forming surface. The adhesive layer may contain a contact adhesive (PSA) layer.

The thick film heater may be a printed thick film heater, in which the resistive track circuit included in the thick film heater is a paste material circuit printed on the substrate film layer. The paste material may include resistive paste. The film may contain a PSA layer applied to the substrate on which the paste is printed. The thick film heater may comprise another layer applied to the substrate and a paste layer with a PSA layer. In some exemplary embodiments, the film layer comprises a 0.05-inch thick thermoplastic or thermosetting polymeric material, which material can have thermal conductivity while providing electrical insulation. For example, the film layer can be made from polyester or polyimide. An additional layer of PSA may be applied to the outer surface of the thick film heater so that the thick film heater can be attached directly to the guide 25, thereby improving heat transfer between the heater 912 and the guide 25.

In some exemplary embodiments, the thick film heater comprises a substrate made up of one or more of polyester, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, thermosetting coating, polyethylene naphthalene, polyimide, silicone rubber, or some combinations thereof. The thick film heater may comprise a PSA layer formed from one or more acrylic or silicone materials. The thick film heater may have a minimum width of 6 millimeters. The thick film heater can have a dielectric strength of up to 1500 Vac. current. A thick film heater can have a heat capacity of up to 25 watts per square inch. The thick film heater can operate on mains voltage up to approximately 277 Vac. current or 277 Vdc. current. The thick film heater may have an overall maximum operating temperature of approximately 482 degrees Celsius.

In some exemplary embodiments, the flexible heater comprises one or more of a single-sided heater, a double-sided heater, a multilayer heater, a rigid flexible heater, and some combination thereof. The one-sided heater contains one heating element layer, which may be a resistive track. A double-sided heater contains two layers of a heating element. The flexible heater may include an embossed heating element, the embossed heating element having a variable thickness within the heating element. The embossed heating element can have exposed metal portions protruding from the heating element. Rigidly flexible heater contains at least one rigid layer and at least one flexible layer. The flexible heater may have a thickness of at least 0.004 inches. The flexible heater may contain at least two parallel tracks having different resistances. Parallel tracks can be activated separately and selectively to provide different heating rates. The flexible heater may have a bend radius that is approximately 10 times the thickness of the flexible heater. One or more heating elements in a flexible heater may be circular resistive tracks. If the flexible heater contains multiple layers of parallel heating elements, the individual layers can be configured in an unsymmetrical configuration, thereby providing additional flexibility to the flexible heater.

In some exemplary embodiments, the surface heater 912 is a solid state heater. A solid state heater may include a heating element that is one or more sets of resistive tracks. The solid state heater may be a ceramic solid state heater. The solid state heater can be made from a combination of platinum and at least one ceramic material. The solid-state heater may have a three-dimensional geometry of the heating element. A solid state heater can contain several separate heating elements. The solid state heater may comprise an aluminum nitride ceramic material. A solid-state heater may comprise a ceramic material and one or more internal resistive tracks. The resistor track can be made of tungsten. The solid-state heater may contain aluminum nitride (ALN) ceramic and tungsten. If the solid state heater contains ALN and tungsten, then the tungsten and ALN can be chemically bonded. The oxide phase can be interdiffusion between ALN and tungsten.

In some exemplary embodiments, the surface heater 902, 912 may have one or more different heater forms, including flex heaters that may contact one or more surfaces of the channel structure 25.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a method for generating steam in accordance with some exemplary embodiments. The method can be carried out by an assembled evaporator. Such an evaporator assembly may include any of the exemplary evaporator assembly embodiments 22 included herein, including any of the exemplary evaporator assembly embodiments 22 illustrated in any of FIGS. 1-9C. However, embodiments of an evaporator assembly that may perform the method illustrated in FIG. 10 are not limited to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in one or more of FIGS. 1-9C.

As described above, the evaporator assembly comprises a reservoir that holds the ready-to-evaporate composition, a channel structure adapted to draw in the ready-to-evaporate composition from the reservoir through one or more open microchannels, and a heating element.

In step 1002, the evaporator assembly draws the ready-to-evaporate composition from the reservoir by capillary action of the ready-to-evaporate composition through one or more microchannels of the channel structure. The channel structure comprises a channel structure surface with first and second portions. The first part of the surface of the channel structure is in fluid communication with the interior of the reservoir, and the second part of the surface of the channel structure is external to the reservoir. The surface of the channel structure comprises one or more open microchannels extending between the first and second portions of the surface of the channel structure such that the portions of the open microchannels passing through the first surface of the channel structure are in fluid communication with the interior of the reservoir. The portions of the open microchannels passing through the first portion of the surface of the channel structure can receive the finished composition for evaporation from the interior of the reservoir. The open microchannels can draw in the ready-to-vaporize composition from the interior of the reservoir by drawing in the ready-to-evaporate composition through the open microchannels from the first portion of the channel structure surface to the second portion of the channel structure surface.

At step 1004, an evaporator assembly transfers the ready-to-evaporate composition to a heating element. As described above, open microchannels extending between the first and second surface portions of the channel structure can transport the finished composition for evaporation from the reservoir. The open microchannels can carry the pre-evaporated composition at least a certain close distance to the heating element, thus the ready-to-evaporate composition in the open microchannels can receive sufficient heat generated by the heating element for evaporation. In some exemplary embodiments, one or more heating elements can be attached to the open microchannels. The open microchannels can carry the ready-to-vaporize composition for physical contact with one or more heating elements.

In step 1006, the vaporizer assembly vaporizes the vaporization ready-made composition carried by the open microchannels to the second surface portion of the channel structure. Such evaporation may include the generation of heat by the heating element such that the ready-to-evaporate composition transferred to the second surface of the channel structure is heated by the heating element and at least partially evaporates. Steam can be discharged from open microchannels.

While a number of exemplary embodiments are disclosed herein, it should be understood that other variations are possible. Such variations are not to be construed as departing from the scope of the present invention, and all such modifications, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (55)

1. A cartridge for an electronic device for vaping, while the cartridge contains: a reservoir configured to hold the finished composition for evaporation; a channel structure comprising a channel structure surface, wherein the channel structure surface comprises a first portion of the channel structure surface and an adjacent second portion of the channel structure surface, wherein the first portion of the channel structure surface forms at least one inner surface of the reservoir that forms the boundary of the interior of the reservoir, and the second part of the surface of the channel structure is external to the reservoir; wherein the surface of the channel structure contains at least one open microchannel, and at least one open microchannel extends between the first part of the surface of the channel structure and the second part of the surface of the channel structure; the structure of the channels is configured to draw in the finished composition for evaporation from the reservoir into the second part of the surface of the structure of the channels as a result of the capillary action of the finished composition for evaporation through at least one open microchannel; and at least one heating element adapted to vaporize the finished vaporization composition drawn into the second part of the surface of the channel structure to form steam. 2. A cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one open microchannel has a trapezoidal channel cross-section. 3. A cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the channel structure comprises a hydrophilic layer on the surface of the channel structure. 4. The cartridge according to PP. 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the heating element comprises a surface heater. 5. A cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating element is attached to the second surface of the channel structure. 6. A cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reservoir comprises a sealing member configured to seal a substantially contact surface between the reservoir and the second surface portion of the channel structure. 7. A cartridge according to any of the previous paragraphs, characterized in that it additionally contains: a plurality of reservoirs, each of the reservoirs being configured to hold at least one finished composition for evaporation; wherein at least one open microchannel contains a plurality of open microchannels, each of the open microchannels being in fluid communication with a separate reservoir from the plurality of reservoirs. 8. A cartridge according to any of the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that: the reservoir is an annular element adapted to hold the finished composition for evaporation inside the annular element; the channel structure is a disc-shaped element, wherein the first part of the channel structure surface is the outer annular part of the channel structure surface and forms the base of the annular member, and the second part of the channel structure surface is the inner part of the channel structure surface; at least one open microchannel extends radially between the outer annular surface of the channel structure and the inner surface of the channel structure; and at least one heating element is connected to the interior of the channel structure. 9. Cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 1-7, characterized in that: the channel structure contains a tubular element; the surface of the channel structure contains the outer surface of the tubular element; and at least one open microchannel extends axially along the outer surface of the tubular member. 10. A cartridge according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the channel structure is a molded element. 11. A cartridge according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that it further comprises: capillary material in contact with the second part of the surface of the channel structure and the heating element, wherein the capillary material is adapted to draw in the finished composition for evaporation from at least one open microchannel in the second part of the surface of the channel structure into the heating element. 12. Electronic device for vaping, containing: cartridge for electronic vaping device, while the cartridge contains: a reservoir configured to hold the finished composition for evaporation; a channel structure comprising a channel structure surface, wherein the channel structure surface comprises a first portion of the channel structure surface and an adjacent second portion of the channel structure surface, wherein the first portion of the channel structure surface forms at least one inner surface of the reservoir that forms the boundary of the interior of the reservoir, and the second part of the surface of the channel structure is external to the reservoir; the surface of the channel structure contains at least one open microchannel, and at least one open microchannel extends between the first part of the surface of the channel structure and the second part of the surface of the channel structure; the structure of the channels is configured to draw in the finished composition for evaporation from the reservoir into the second part of the surface of the structure of the channels as a result of the capillary action of the finished composition for evaporation through at least one open microchannel; and at least one heating element configured to vaporize the finished vaporization composition drawn into a second surface portion of the channel structure to generate vapor; and a power supply unit configured to supply power to the cartridge. 13. An electronic device for vaping according to claim 12, characterized in that at least one open microchannel has a trapezoidal channel cross-section. 14. Electronic device for vaping according to PP. 12 or 13, characterized in that the channel structure contains a hydrophilic layer on the surface of the channel structure. 15. Electronic device for vaping according to PP. 12, 13 or 14, characterized in that the heating element comprises a surface heater. 16. Electronic device for vaping according to any one of paragraphs. 12-15, characterized in that the heating element is attached to the second part of the surface of the channel structure of the channel structure. 17. Electronic device for vaping according to any one of paragraphs. 12-16, characterized in that the reservoir comprises a sealing element configured to seal a substantially contact surface between the reservoir and the second surface portion of the channel structure. 18. Electronic device for vaping according to any one of paragraphs. 12-17, characterized in that it additionally contains: a plurality of reservoirs, each of the reservoirs being configured to hold at least one finished composition for evaporation; wherein at least one open microchannel contains a plurality of open microchannels, each of the open microchannels being in fluid communication with a separate reservoir from the plurality of reservoirs. 19. An electronic device for vaping according to any one of paragraphs. 12-18, characterized in that: the reservoir is an annular element adapted to hold the finished composition for evaporation inside the annular element; the channel structure is a disc-shaped element, wherein the first part of the channel structure surface is the outer annular part of the channel structure surface and forms the base of the annular member, and the second part of the channel structure surface is the inner part of the channel structure surface; at least one open microchannel extends radially between the outer annular surface of the channel structure and the inner part of the guide surface; and at least one heating element is connected to the interior of the channel structure of the channel structure. 20. Electronic device for vaping according to any one of paragraphs. 12-18, characterized in that: the channel structure contains a tubular element; the surface of the channel structure contains the outer surface of the tubular element; and at least one open microchannel extends axially through the outer surface of the tubular element. 21. An electronic device for vaping according to any one of paragraphs. 12-20, characterized in that the channel structure is a molded element. 22. An electronic device for vaping according to any one of paragraphs. 12-21, characterized in that the power supply contains a rechargeable battery. 23. Electronic device for vaping according to any one of paragraphs. 12-22, characterized in that the cartridge and the power supply are removably connected to each other. 24. Electronic device for vaping according to any one of paragraphs. 12-23, characterized in that the cartridge further comprises a capillary material in contact with the second part of the surface of the channel structure and the heating element, while the capillary material is configured to draw in the finished composition for evaporation from at least one open microchannel in the second part of the surface channel structure into the heating element.

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